Tube cutting apparatus



Nov. 28, 1939. D. H. EDWAR'DSYET Al. 2.1s1,124

TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1- K03 i. liar/122m? 1N VENT 0R5 M WM;

Nov. 28, 1939.

D. H. EDWARDS ET AL TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R05 L liar/122012 lNVl-TNTORS A T TORNEY Nov. 28, 1939. Q D. H. EDWARDS ET AL TUBE cuw'rme APPARATUS Filed April 14, 19:58 5 Sheets-She a: 3

wmmw k ATTORNEY iii; BY I Nov. 28, 1939. n. H. EDWARDS ET AL 2.181,124

TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TORS ATTORNEY Nov. 28; 1939. D. H, EDWARDS ET AL 2,181,124

TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 David 15. fawwra'r' v R0 5. liar/172m? VENToRs f I BY ATTORNEY "latented Nov. 28, 1939 r I: h r h 1 V 2,181,124" TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS David Hr Edwards, Kenmore, and Roy E. Hart- I man, Buflalo; N. Y., assignorsto E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Dcl.', a corporation of Delaware. 1

Application April 14, 1938, Serial No. 201,862 W '25 Claims. (oust-69y- This invention relates to cutting apparatus, angleof Fig. ti'but with'the end of the mandrel "Tums-D -silumrr:s PATENT orr ca and more particularly it relates. to apparatus for supported by means of a supporting element."

the cutting'of tubular elements such as,-for ex.- (Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspectiveyviewfitaken ample, laminated paper tubes. There is a great along the same angle as Fig.3 and showing'a demand for tubes for use in the construction of portion of the apparatus with the inandrell ina containers or cores upon which'sheet material or supported condition.

textile material in the form of ribbons, tapes or h Fig. 7 is an enlargedendvie'w ofthe apparatus the like may be wound. vSuch tubes are usually shown in Fig. 6.

constructed of laminated paperwithsoft paper Fig. 8 is an enlarged front view with" parts inner liners, and are produced in long lengths shown'in section, of the portion of the apparatus which must be cutto size. Difliculty has been shown in Fig.- 7. 7 experienced in cutting such long tubes into uni- Fig. 9 is anenlarged top plane-view o'i'the an"- form lengths with a smoothness of cut and with paratus shown in'Fig.,7. A

a cut end which is substantially perpendicular to Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of the the axis of the tube. Particular difllculty has assembly, with. parts shown'in section. I

been experienced in-cutting tubes constructed Fig. 11 is an end view o f theknifeassembly with soft paper liners without tearing thesaid shown inFig'. 10, with parts.1brokenI"away and liners. p shown in section. Q .1'

It is, therefore,. an object'of. the present in Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawingsrefer ence vvention to provide an apparatus for cutting tubes, numeral designates the base frame of the tube particularlyv laminated papertubesyinto lengths cutting apparatus. .A rotatablev mandrel. 22 is which will be uniform; which are smoothly cut, mounted in. bearing supports 24 and 26. 1A tube and in which the end-surfaces are substantially 23 is; shown mounted on the mandrel. A; motor perpendicularto the tube axis. I 28 is mountedon the supporting .frameof the It is another object-of this invention to proapparatus. A belt is positioned between :motor vide an apparatus whichis.readily adjustable for pulley 30 and pulley 32 mounted onthe-end of the cutting of tubes having anydesiredlength the mandrel. A gear 36 is mounted on the shaft and which will out such tubing smoothly and with of the mandrel between the supports 2-4; and 26. anend which. is substantially perpendicular to A notched spacing bar is mountedover. 'and thetubeaxis.. F r v It is} still another 1 object of this nivention to 38 is mounted on a sleeve surrounding the end of provide an apparatus which may be operated by the spacing bar 40. A pulley 42 is mounted "on slightly to the rearof, mandrel 22. An idler gear 3 anunskilled workman to produce'cut tubes of a said idler gear sleeve so, that it may ber'ota'ted uniform length and with a smooth out which is with the idler gear. Another pulley is mounted perpendicular to the tube axis. on one end of the knife shaft 48. A'J belt, or rope,

Other objects of the invention-will appear hereis. positioned between pulley 42 and 244'. The inafter. I spacingv bar is supported -on. the righthand end The details of the invention will be more clearof the machine by means-of a support 54. The

.ly apparent by reference to the following descripknife shaft 48 is connected to the spacing bar tion taken in connection with the accompanying by means of a piyptalsupport 5!]. and a rotatable drawings in which: v bell crank lever-"'84 atopposite ends of the appa- Fig.- 1is .a-front elevational view of an apparatus. An o'perating lever 56 is mounted on a ratusconstructed in accordance with the present stub shaft 58 on the vrighthand end of themainvention. chine. "I'heoperatinglever56 is provided with a Figs2is aside elevational view ofthe apparatus geared quadrant 60 which is in mesh with .an'

shown in Fig. 1. v idler pinion-gear 62. ,The pinion gear 62 is in Fig. 3'is. anenlarged perspectiveof a portion of turn positioned'to mesh with theteeth of rack the apparatus showing one end of the mandrel 64. The rack 64 is adapted to=slide in a housing in an open, unsupportedcondition. fixedly mounted on the end of the supporting 4 is an enlargedip sp tive, view showing frame of the apparatus. A roller 66 (see Fig. 5) substantially theapparatus of- Fig. 3 b ut, taken is'pos-itioned inythe rack housing and serves to at a different angle to show theend'of the support the endo'f the rack. -A second roller 68 apparatus. is positioned on a pivoted supporting arm 10. Fig. 5 is an. enlarged perspective view showinga This roller 68 will be contacted by the end and portion of the apparatus substantially from the side of rack filtocause the supporting arm Hi to is provided between :the

one end of stub .shaft swing about its pivot 12. The-pivot I2 serves to .I-hinge the supporting arm "1.1.0 :to the supporting frame of the apparatus. "The pivot pin I2 is substantially vertically positioned in the apparatus so as to cause the supporting .arm l to swing substantially in a horizontal plane. A freely :ro-

.tatablesupporting means for "the end of mandrel '22 ismounted on the supporting arm I0. This mandrel support "I4 is provided with an end surface I9 which will function as a .tube stop for tube 23. The mandrel is preferabl provided with a beveled end "Land the mandrel support 14 is provided with an interior sur'face 18 conforming substantially to the beveled end 16 of the mandrel. :By this arrangement the freely rotatable mandrel support vI4 will be rotated :by the mandrel '22. p

A lever 80 (seenFigs. .7, 8 and-9) is keyed to the stub shaft of operating lever 56 by means of key v82. The rotatable bell crank lever '84 is connected to lever '80 by means of a pin '86. The lever 84 is keyed to the notched spacing bar 40. By this arrangement a forward movement of the operating lever :56 will cause the mandrel support 14 to be placed in position over the end of the mandrel 22 and will cause'the'spacing bar 40 "to .be slightly rotated and thereby cause the rotatable lever support 84 of theknife shafttobe rotated in a clockwise direction as viewedin Fig. 7.

The coil tension spring 08 is connected to the supporting arm in such a manner that when the rack is withdrawn from its housingthe supporting arm .10 will be pivoted about pin"I2 to theposition shown in Figs. 3 and-4 of the drawings. A stub .shaf-t housing 90 is adjustably connected to rotatable support 52 by means of screws 96 and :98.' This will permit the stub shaft 92 and its housing'00 to be adjusted in an angular -92. The roller :94 may be cylindrical or frustroconical as illustrated. The surface IOI of the support 52 and the surface I00 of the housingp90 are provided with cooperable scales so that a fine adjustment ofthe angularity of stub shaft 92 may be obtained. A pivoted pin I02 is mounted on 92 (see Fig. '5 of the drawings). The pin is projected through an opening in a boss I04 which is provided on the rotatable knife support .84. A coil compression spring I06 will cause the tube to be moved along the mandrel 22 against the edge 19 of mandrel support I4.

The spacing bar 40 is provided with a plurality of notches IIO which notches are spaced from each other a definite predetermined distance, for example inch, within which the knife assembly may be anchored. The knife II2 which is preferably provided with a safety guard I I4 is mounted for rotation on the end of a sleeve II5, the latter being keyed to a groove in shaft 48. The sleeve is mounted within a housing II6. This is accomplished as illustrated by means of a pair of ball races positioned on sleeve I I5 and a corresponding pair of ball races positioned on the internal surface of thehousing .I I6. By this con-- structionthe knife II2, sleeve I I5, and shaft 48 may be rotated in the relatively stationary houslever I36 by means of pivot pin I40.

boss I04 and the head 'ing H6. The sleeve H 5 and its key is free to move longitudinally .alonggrooved shaft 48. The

knife housing I16 is connected to an annular :ele-

ment I20 by means of arm -I1I8, sleeve I and frotatingmember I 24. The annular element I I20 is keyed to bar by :means of :a cooperating key and key way I22 in such a manner :as :to permit the movement of the element I20 along bar 40. See Figs. .10 and '11 of the drawings. The rotatable element I24 is rotatablyanchored to element I20 andis provided with internal threads. The arm .I I8 is bolted .to an externally threaded extension sleeve I30 by means of bolts 134. The arm .I I8 is also provided with an externally finished .fiange I32. The rotatable element is provided with a beveled flange "I26"which overlies flange I32. It will thus be apparent that'by rotating element I24 the :arm I18, together with A lever Shaving .an eccentric cam surface I38 is mounted on "the annular element I20, and is provided with a pin I42, which pin is pivoted to The end I46 of pin I42 is positioned to project into one of the notches I.I0. -A coiled compression spring I44 is positioned about pin I42 to cause the-same to be projected into notch -.I I0. The arm H8 is pro- .vided with a means for locking the same to bar 40. This means is comprised-of threaded .rod I 48., g

wedgeblock I50 and nut I54. 'By tightening the nut I54 the wedging edge I52 of the wedge block I 50 is forcedinto engagement with bar 40. To the housing H6 is connected :a projecting member I56 which in turn is provided with an adjusting screw I50 for contact with a portion of the supporting frame of the apparatus. This serves 'to prevent the knife from cutting .into mandrel '22. The mandrel 22 is preferably provided with a covering .24 .of rubber or composition which may be replaced and :into which the knife may project slightly (see .Fig. 11 of the drawings).

The operation of the apparatus will :be -some what as follows:

The mandrel 22 .is rotated iby means of motor 28 through belt 34 and pulleys .30 and "32. The knife shaft 48- is rotated through gears 36 an'd38 and through pulleys 42 and 44 and belt 58.

Theoperating lever 56 is positioned rearwardly thereby causing the'rack :64 to be drawn towards the rear of the'machine. Upon drawing the rack 64 rearwardly the roller 68 will-move from the side of the rack to the end thereof and will thereby allow the tension spring 88 to withdraw the supporting arm "I0 away from the :mandrel to the position shown in Figs. ,3 and 4. This will permit the positioning of altube 23-onto the-mandrel 2.2. The knife assembly is loosened on bar '40 by loosening the nut I54 and lifting the extraction lever I36. The knife assembly is slid along bar and knife shaft 40 to any desired position. The extraction lever I36 is released thereby permitting spring I44 to project pin I42 into one of the notches IIO. A fine adjustment can now be made by means of rotatable element I24 which can be measured by micrometer scales on surfaces I26 and I32. After making the desired adjustment arm I I8 is locked'in a fixed position on bar 40 by means of nut .I54. The operating lever is now pulled forward .causing the rotatable manstop and mandrel supporting means that it comes drel support 14 to engage the end of mandrel-22.

The roller. 94 willnow be positioned against tube 23 with axis of roller94 at an angle to the axis of tube 23.. The roller 94. beingfreely rotatable will rotate with the tube 23 andmandrel 22 and thereby cause a drawing or longitudinalmoving of the tube towards the mandrel supporting roller 14. The longitudinal movement of the tube will be stopped as'-,soon as it contacts the edge 19 of mandrel support .14. As the operating lever continues to move forward the rapidly rotating edge of the-knife will be forced. against the rotating tube, causing it to be cut. The knife is preferably provided with a very gradually beveled edge-so that the end of the tube cut will be substantially perpendicular to its axis.

The type of material of which the tubes to be out are. prepared. will govern the conditions of wear of roller 94v and will also determine the optimum angularity of the shaft of this roller with the axis of the mandrel. If desired the roller 94 may be positively driven.

The function of the roller 94 is very important,

in the-operation of the tube cutting apparatus. Its movement isso related to that of the tube into contact with the tube immediately after the mandrel support engages the end of the mandrel, so that the tube is positively driven against the tube stop and held there before any cutting occurs. This insuresboth an accurately placed as well as a smooth but since the-axial position of the tubecannot shift during the cutting operation. Since thecore. is automatically positioned against a stop, it permits operation of the cutting apparatus by an unskilled operator at a consequent saving. v

The relative direction and rates of rotation of the knife and mandrel as well as the relative peripheral-speeds of the knife edge and surface of the tube throughout the cutting operation will govern the character of the cut obtained. The knife and mandrel may be rotated in the same or opposed directions andat various rates of speed relative .each other. The mandrel isshown as rotating-in a' direction opposite tothat of the knife. With this combination, it is'preferred to drive the knife with a peripheral speed approximately 30 percent greater than that of the peripheral speed of the tube. In this manner of operation, the peripheral speed of the knife, even after long'periods of normal wear. and resharp'ening still. exceeds that of the tube and thus helps to drive the tube, andto impart a sheer out rather than a score out to the tube. The choice of other directions and speeds of rotation of the tube and knife depends upon the nature of the tube to be cut, and the type of out desired, etc.

Obviously, a plurality of knife assemblies can be mounted on bar 40 and knife shaft 48 to be driven simultaneously to cutthe tube at a plurality of points.

By means of the. above-described tube cutting apparatus it is possible to adjust the apparatus very readily to cut tubing of any desired length. It is also possible .to consistently cut tubes of uniform length. Furthermore, the above-described apparatus may be operated by an unskilled operator to produce very desirable and constant results.

As a further advantage pieces of tubing which have been cut to a specified length can be removed from apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention without removing theuncut remaining portion of the tube.

By constructing tube cutting apparatus inaccordance with the present invention use is made, of

a cutting blade having a slightbevel on both sides toproducea cut in a tube which "will be accurate and sufficiently square on both sides of the out'to.

permitemployment "of thetubing for the'most critical uses. v

Since it is obvious that manychanges and modifications of the above-described apparatus can be made without departing from. the nature and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited except asset forth in the appended claims.

We claim: 7

1. In a tube cutting apparatus, a mandrel for supporting a-tube incutting position, means for rotating said mandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotatewith said tube and mandrel, and a cutting, knife adaptedto be moved transverselyagainst said rotating tube.

- 2. In a tube cutting. apparatus, a mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position,. means for rotating said mandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said tube and mandrel, and a rotatable cutting knife adapted to be moved transversely against said rotating tube. V

3.. In .a tube cutting apparatusa mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position,-means for rotating said mandrel and tube,.a freely rotatable tube stop mea-ns adapted torotate-vvith said tube and mandrel, and a rotatably driven cutting.

adapted to be moved transversely against; said" rotating tube, said rotatably driven cutting knife pivotally mounted relative to said tube.

I 5. In a tubecutting apparatus, a mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, means for rotating said mandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said.

tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to. be moved transversely against said rotating tube,

1 and means for accurately-spacing said cutting knife from said tube stop means. 4 a

6. In a tube cutting apparatus, a mandrel for supporting-a tube in cutting position, meansfor.

rotating said mandrel and .tube, a freely rotatable tube stop meansadaptedto rotate with said tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to be moved transversely against said rotating tube,

and adjustable means for accurately spacing said cutting knife from said tube stop means.

7.. In a tube cutting apparatus',,a mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, means for rotating said mandrel and. tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to be moved transversely against said rotating. tube, and micrometrically adjustable means for accurately spacing said cutting knife from said tube stop means. g

8. In a tube cutting apparatus, a mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position,-means for rotating saidmandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to bemoved transversely against said rotating tube, and means for forcing said tube against said tube stop means.

9. In a tube cutting apparatus, a. mandrel for 'supportinga tube in cutting position, means for rotating said mandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to be moved transversely against said rotating tube, and angularly adjustable means for forcing said tube against said tube stop means.

10. In a tube cutting'apparatus, a mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, means for rotating said mandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to be moved transversely against said rotating tube, and rotatable means for forcing said tube against said tube stop means.

11. In a tube cutting apparatus, a mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, means for rotating said mandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to be moved transversely against said rotating tube, and freely rotatable means adapted to be forced against said tube whereby to force said tube against said tube stop means.

1'2.'In a tube cutting apparatus, a mandrelfor supporting a tube in cutting position, means for rotating said mandrel and tube, a freely rotatable tube stop means adapted to rotate with said tube and mandrel, a cutting knife adapted to be moved transversely against said rotating tube, and rotatable cylindrical means adapted to be forced against said tube with the axes of the said means andtube at an angle to each other whereby to force said tube against said tube stop means.

- l3.'In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel forsupporting atube in cutting position, a freely rotatable supporting element'for one end of said mandrel, said supporting element being recessed to receive the end of the mandrel which it supports, and means for moving said supporting element into and out of engagement with said mandrel.

14. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, a freely rotatable supporting element for one end of said mandrel, and pivotal means about which said supporting element is adapted to pivot for moving said supporting element-into and out of engagement with said mandrel.

15. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, a freely rotatable supporting element for one end of said mandrel, and pivotal means for moving said supporting element into and out of engagement with said mandrel, said, mandrel and said supporting element having cooperatively conforming surfaces for-engagement with each other whereby said element will be rotated by said mandrel.

16. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, a freely rotatable supporting element for mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, a freely rotatable supporting element for one end of said mandrel, said supporting element having a tube stop surface adapted to rotate in substantial unison with said tube, and means for moving said supporting element into and out of engagement with said mandrel.

19. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, a pivotally mounted, freely rotatable supporting element for one end of said mandrel, an operating lever, and means connecting said supporting element to said lever in such a manner that upon operation of said lever said element is pivotally moved into and out of engagement with said mandrel.

20. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, a pivotally mounted, freely rotatable supporting element for one end of said mandrel, a tube stop surface on said element, means for drawing said tube along said mandrel against said tube stop surface, an operating lever, and means connecting said operating lever to said supporting ele ment and said tube drawing means in such a manner that upon operation of said lever said 22. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable' mandrel for supporting a tube in cutting position, a knife assembly supporting shaft, said knife assembly movable longitudinally along said shaft, means for locking said assembly onto said shaft at any predetermined position along the length thereof, and micrometrically adjustable means in said assembly for moving the knife relative to the locked portion of saidassembly.

23. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel adapted to closely fit and support a tube in cutting position, a freely rotatable supporting element for the open end of said mandrel, said supporting element carrying tube stop means adapted to limit the lengthwise movement of a tube on the mandrel, cutting means adapted to be moved against a tube on the mandrel to sever the same, and rotatable means adapted to be forced against said tube for forcing the same into contact with said tube stop means.

24. In a device'of the kind claimed in claim 23, a means adapted to move said mandrel supporting element into mandrel supporting position and said tube-forcing means into contact with said tube.

25. In a device of the kind claimed in claim 23, a means adapted to move saidmandrel supporting element into mandrel supporting position and thereafter to move said tube forcing means into contact with said tube.

26. In a tube cutting apparatus, a rotatable mandrel adapted to closely fit and support a tube in cutting position, a freely rotatable supporting element for the open end 'of said mandrel, said supporting element carrying tube stop means adapted to limit the lengthwise movement of a tube on the mandrel, cutting means adapted to be moved against a tube on the mandrel to sever the same, and rotatable means adapted to be forced against said tube for forcing the same into contact with said tube stop means, a means adapted to move said mandrel supporting elementdnto mandrel supporting position and said tube forcing means into contact with said tube, saidcutting means and said tube forcing means being pivotably mounted on the same axis.

27. In a device of the kind claimed in claim 26, a shaft upon which the said cutting means, the said tube forcing means and an idler pulley unit are mounted, the said idler pulley unit being driven by the mandrel drive and driving the rotatable shaft upon which the cutting means is mounted.

28. In a tube cutting apparatus, arotatablemandrel adapted to clos'elyfit and support a tube while it is being cut, a freely rotatable support for the open end of said mandrel, tube stop means for limiting the travel of tube towardthe open end of the mandrel, a shaft extending inthe direction of the mandrel upon which is pivotably mounted a carriage for a tube cutting means mounting andan arm carrying a rotatable,

- position.

DAVID H. EDWARDS. ROY E. HARTMAN. 

